The Post a Day challenge is a personal one, even though there are many WordPress bloggers who have taken it on. It’s voluntary. Have I gained anything from doing this? I think so. This little challenge has helped me look more closely at my surroundings as I go through my day. My awareness of opportunity is heightened. My creativity is being fed in a way I never expected.

On days like this, when I am up against the wall, trying to find something to post, it does not make me want to throw in the towel and skip a day. It makes me want to take more photos tomorrow, or work on something new in the studio, so I will have more images from which to choose the next time.

I was thinking about making valentines, as I walked around Portsmouth with my friends last weekend. Maybe I would find some interesting paper for a collage? Some cute little cards to send? I was hoping for some ideas to surface. It never ceases to amaze me how the universe answers the open mind. I walked past this little piece of snow on the sidewalk, noticing it with a delayed reaction. Of course!

A few days later, during my frozen seaweed walk on the beach, this:

Yesterday I looked at dried seaweed pieces I had at home. (Photo prop possibilities?) I thought it would be interesting to capture their shadows in the late afternoon sun, which led me to this:

I always find it amazing that the heart shape can be found in unanticipated places. I suppose that’s why it has such universal appeal. I like your natural hearts. Do you think these forms might find their way into your design?

I’m happy you are here sharing your world. I may not comment often but I aways read.

Hi LeAnn,
I am a regular reader of yours, too. I don’t always reply, but I think we are connected without comments! I really like what you are doing lately with bronze clay. I need to try it again. It’s been too long. Thoughts of safety and good energy to your son in Afghanistan.
xo Barb

Your blog is the first one I check every day Barb. I know I will be amazed, will laugh, will learn something new, will gain inspiration…any, all, and more. Thanks for your resolution and for your commitment.

Great images! The post a day challenge is very personal for me as well. Although I’ve been mostly failing at it, I go back and post what I meant to post and try to fill in the holes. I’m getting better each day.

Isn’t it amazing the things we find to write about (or photograph, in your case) when we’ve committed to posting? You find inspiration everywhere. Here’s to continued success in your endeavour! :D

It’s these little moments in life (that so many pass up), which are ultimately the most vital to the soul.
I never took the once a day challenge on, I’m on the leaner (though still challenging), 2-3 times a week personal plan, but surely i admire your fortitude and observant eye/open heart (no pun intended in regard to the seaweed)
~J

So cool…my fiance and I find each other tiny little naturally heart-shaped things. Mostly they get lost or dropped again because we don’t want to end up with a bunch of junk, but it’s fun. :) The beach is a great place…

Nice photos – they remind me that a picture does not have to be something huge and spectacular, like a mountain or the popular and colorful sunset photos. It’s great to take pictures of the small details, things we sometimes pass by.

I ask myself the same question every day. So far, I haven’t been brave enough to post a badge, but I’m “with you in spirit.”

I registered my blog on a whim nearly 2 years ago, then waited 18 months to post something (OK, I was a little busy). But since reading about the challenge, I am suddenly and miraculously inspired. Initially I was intimidated by the software, unsure about generating writing topics and jealous of my time. But I’ve discovered that I love WordPress and ideas (much like you seeing hearts at every turn) just keep showing up. The social media world that I foolishly resisted now is making sense. I joined Facebook earlier this month, much to several friends’ relief. And yesterday, I really went crazy and signed up for Twitter! Right now, blogging is a lonely pastime (Is there anybody out there?) I try to limit myself to 2 hours a day. A girl’s gotta work. But my plan is to make it all mesh and see just how connected I can be.

Thanks! i just can’t do twitter yet. I was away from my computer all day, so just now checking and wondering what the heck was going on??!! I usually get about 30 hits on a good day, but today was over 1,000! Then I saw I was on Freshly Pressed. Totally unexpected. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Let’s keep blogging. I’m off to check yours now.

Thanks for visiting me. I forgot to say that your jewelry is beautiful. I love silver and/or beaded earrings more than diamonds or pearls, and to tell you the truth, I want everything in your gallery. I’ll be back when the tax refund lands! I need to treat myself.

P.S. Thanks for the “about” suggestion. I need to nail that done, but that’s more writing….

I love the hearts, it makes me want to just keep my eyes open, and my mind more aware of simple shapes in nature as I go about my day… I wonder if you could pick a different shape a week and see how many you see, it might be fun…

Saw this post on Freshly Pressed and I have to say I feel exactly the same as what you said in the first part of the post. Every day I seem to be more observant and more open to everything around me. I’m always thinking how I could delve into it a little deeper and write something about it. And, like you, when I feel uninspired I don’t feel like giving up – I always try and find more to talk about!

oooo i love the seaweed picture! how cool! i think its neat what we can find when we just open our eyes and look around and i would have to agree having a blog that you write in quite a bit forces you to do that. im always thinking..huh what would make a good blog post? well best of luck to your blog a day mission!

Your images remind me of my own desire to go with my artistic impulses
and make patterns out of the world around me. Keep doing what you are doing. I especially was charmed and calmed by the heart images…I may do a ‘heart’ in my foam milk tomorrow at heromobilecafe.com…
Love Love Love Heidi House at heromobilecafe

A Post a Day for 2011 is a big commitment, I am doing it myself and some of the things I talk about are simply hilarious and the others just useless, but I am finiding it really fulfilling at the same time.
Keep posting, you’re doing a great job it’s true, you are foced to look at things in a different light everday so that when it comes time to write your blog, you have something entertaining enough to share.
Have a look at mine, you might get a giggle.
Ashley x

I’m trying to do a post a day, and I write about music, so I find myself thinking about topics for future blogs. I’m not sure if I can blog EVERY single day, but it’s good to keep writing, and I start to find that the more I write, I want to write even more!

Awesome post & challenge! I’m really digging it. I’m constantly writing about these ideals on my blog as well–the art of noticing the art that is around us whether it be nature or creative mediums. Keep up the inspiring stuff. Feel free to check out my blog as well: create4him.wordpress.com
Thanks!

Adorable post. I keep my eyes open for “naturally occurring” hearts as well. Saturday evening I found a heart leaf in a very bare tree. I woke up this morning thinking I would post it. I haven’t yet but certainly will. I admire the 365 blog challenge. I am definitely kicking it up a notch in 2011. Blessings.

Omy goodness…that is the cutiest thing that you found heart shapes in normal things on the ground…I so “heart” that…lol ….good post, I am doing the post a day challenge and between work, daughter, studying for LSAT and trying to figure out what I REALLY WANT TO BE when I grow up I am not doing as well as I hoped with everyday posts, but im still posting… I was also hoping it would help mend my broken heart I have as well, but no luck thus far!!!! Thanks again for the pics and post

It does take some time from a busy day to reach into the creative part of the mind and post something. It really is a tough commitment. You appear to be doing very well. I hope to do as well as you on the Post a week.

All I can say is, coincidence. It must have been really freaky and at the same time wonderful for you to find that every time you took a picture, you ended up getting something like a heart, and that too, just around the time of Valentine’s Day! Amazing pictures!
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Ashley, aka TheEverydayMuserhttp://www.theeverydaymuser.wordpress.com